I first met Rosalia Gierszewski, a 19th century immigrant from Eastern Europe, in a barn at Kirwee, South Island, New Zealand. No, she hadn't lived over two hundred years. She had been re-created by a great-great-great (not sure how many greats) niece, Margaret Copland. I was blown away by Margaret's performance and we became friends forthwith.
Margaret is a re-enactor, bringing New Zealand history to life through her ancestors and historical figures. She carefully researched their lives, wore period costumes, and had their accents down pat..
She usually performed at a hotel in Christchurch for Grand Circle and Elderhostel tourists fresh off cruise ships. I watched as she wowed them with Sarah Stokes, her great-great-great (not sure how many greats) grandmother, who came to New Zealand from England, giving birth on the long voyage. Other characters were Mabel Howard, the first female member of the legislature, Charlotte, a little girl, Katarzyna Gierszewski, another ancestor, and even a nun.
Then the earthquakes hit Christchurch, destroying much of it, including hotels and the historical buildings. Tourist bookings fell to almost nothing. Last week, Margaret had her final booking to talk to a small group of tourists.There will be no more. She has decided to retire.
On May 12, she and her friends are celebrating her retirement by having a sort of wake for all those historical characters. The guests will come in period costumes, but must dress modestly. No ankles will be shown. Gentlemen will wear dark arm bands. Salt meat and pease porridge will be served in honor of the Randolph, the ship that brought Sarah to New Zealand.
I've traveled with Margaret from time to time. I drove her across the United States to performances and festivals, and she drove me around New Zealand for my own performances. We explored each other's countries and had a joyous time doing so. We each dream of getting rich so we can do so again but with the world wide recession and earthquakes in New Zealand, there no longer is enough storytelling work to pay our ways.
Every time Gary and I go canoeing, I tell him how much Margaret and her husband Jim would love to be with us. We watch the New Zealand news on the internet. But will we ever meet again? I hope so.
Margaret is a re-enactor, bringing New Zealand history to life through her ancestors and historical figures. She carefully researched their lives, wore period costumes, and had their accents down pat..
She usually performed at a hotel in Christchurch for Grand Circle and Elderhostel tourists fresh off cruise ships. I watched as she wowed them with Sarah Stokes, her great-great-great (not sure how many greats) grandmother, who came to New Zealand from England, giving birth on the long voyage. Other characters were Mabel Howard, the first female member of the legislature, Charlotte, a little girl, Katarzyna Gierszewski, another ancestor, and even a nun.
Then the earthquakes hit Christchurch, destroying much of it, including hotels and the historical buildings. Tourist bookings fell to almost nothing. Last week, Margaret had her final booking to talk to a small group of tourists.There will be no more. She has decided to retire.
On May 12, she and her friends are celebrating her retirement by having a sort of wake for all those historical characters. The guests will come in period costumes, but must dress modestly. No ankles will be shown. Gentlemen will wear dark arm bands. Salt meat and pease porridge will be served in honor of the Randolph, the ship that brought Sarah to New Zealand.
I've traveled with Margaret from time to time. I drove her across the United States to performances and festivals, and she drove me around New Zealand for my own performances. We explored each other's countries and had a joyous time doing so. We each dream of getting rich so we can do so again but with the world wide recession and earthquakes in New Zealand, there no longer is enough storytelling work to pay our ways.
Every time Gary and I go canoeing, I tell him how much Margaret and her husband Jim would love to be with us. We watch the New Zealand news on the internet. But will we ever meet again? I hope so.
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